Overview
- Republicans prevailed 51-50 on a procedural move to halt the resolution, with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote after Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski sided with Democrats.
- Sens. Josh Hawley and Todd Young reversed their earlier support following outreach from the White House and assurances from senior officials.
- In a letter to senators, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela and that the administration would seek authorization from Congress before major hostilities, and he agreed to testify before the Foreign Relations Committee.
- Republican leaders argued the measure was not eligible for expedited consideration because there were no ongoing hostilities, while a DOJ memo framed the Jan. 3 Maduro capture as a law-enforcement operation rather than an act of war.
- The resolution had advanced 52-47 last week with five Republicans joining Democrats, and its sponsors said they will pursue additional oversight efforts despite the setback.